Selection Selection

Three methods of selectionThree methods of selection Pressing the mouse buttonPressing the mouse button SwitchSwitch Dwell (wait time)Dwell (wait time)

Feedback of selection may be auditory (beep) or Feedback of selection may be auditory (beep) or visual (flash on screen)visual (flash on screen)

Selected by “pressing for action” or “releasing for Selected by “pressing for action” or “releasing for action”action”

Keyboard ActionsKeyboard Actions

Send textSend text Word processingWord processing

Send graphicsSend graphics Insert pictures or symbolsInsert pictures or symbols

Cursor keys and control key combinationsCursor keys and control key combinations e.g., bg Hello there bg (start and end of line)e.g., bg Hello there bg (start and end of line) e.g., bP is a print signal e.g., bP is a print signal

Sticky keysSticky keys Control + letter (e.g., control + c = copy)Control + letter (e.g., control + c = copy)

Acceleration FeaturesAcceleration Features

PredictionPrediction Most frequently or recently used words Most frequently or recently used words Reduces number of selections while increasing the Reduces number of selections while increasing the

speed of writingspeed of writing

Abbreviation ExpansionAbbreviation Expansion Short abbreviation stands for longer wordShort abbreviation stands for longer word

Smart PunctuationSmart Punctuation Automatically adds spaces after punctuation marks Automatically adds spaces after punctuation marks

and capitalizes the first letterand capitalizes the first letter

Scrolling word listsScrolling word lists Lists of words beginning with each letterLists of words beginning with each letter

Computer/Program ControlComputer/Program Control

These features improve speed and These features improve speed and increase ease of useincrease ease of use Automatic startupAutomatic startup Save/load user settingsSave/load user settings Open set automatically with applicationOpen set automatically with application Open applicationOpen application Switch applicationsSwitch applications Control over applicationControl over application

Speech/Sound ActionsSpeech/Sound Actions

Two types of speechTwo types of speech 1- digitized (recorded speech or sound)1- digitized (recorded speech or sound) 2- synthetic (computer generated)2- synthetic (computer generated)

Most programs have speech control to Most programs have speech control to change voice, pitch, volume, etc. of change voice, pitch, volume, etc. of speechspeech

Selection SetsSelection Sets

Selection set editorSelection set editor Program for creating and changing settingsProgram for creating and changing settings

Instant editingInstant editing Changed automatically without editor programChanged automatically without editor program

Editor accessible by userEditor accessible by user Special access to program to edit setsSpecial access to program to edit sets

Import text file to selection setImport text file to selection set Load file and creates word-bank selectionLoad file and creates word-bank selection

Selection sets supplied and availableSelection sets supplied and available Ready-made selection setsReady-made selection sets

Problems with Selection Problems with Selection (mouse or pointing device)(mouse or pointing device)

Difficulty hitting small items on the screenDifficulty hitting small items on the screen

Accidentally selects items next to the Accidentally selects items next to the intended selectionintended selection

Can move the mouse, but can not operate Can move the mouse, but can not operate the mouse buttonsthe mouse buttons

Difficulty seeing the mouse pointer on the Difficulty seeing the mouse pointer on the screenscreen

Writing is slowWriting is slow

Solutions to These ProblemsSolutions to These Problems

PracticePracticeSlow mouse speedSlow mouse speedIncrease spacing between items on the screenIncrease spacing between items on the screenUse another switchUse another switchUse dwell selectUse dwell selectIncrease the size, shape, or color of the mouse Increase the size, shape, or color of the mouse pointerpointerOnscreen highlightsOnscreen highlightsUse acceleration tools, use frequency of use Use acceleration tools, use frequency of use layoutlayout

Learning to Use On-Screen Learning to Use On-Screen KeyboardsKeyboards

Make it simple and funMake it simple and fun

Start with large targets and gradually fade Start with large targets and gradually fade to smaller targetsto smaller targets

Sample Programs for LearningSample Programs for Learning Living BooksLiving Books Kid Pix (drawing programs)Kid Pix (drawing programs)

Programs Using On-Screen Programs Using On-Screen KeyboardsKeyboards

Most are suitable for the computer-literateMost are suitable for the computer-literate

Many are expensiveMany are expensive EZ Keys for Windows ($1,000)EZ Keys for Windows ($1,000)

Each specialize in specific areas Each specialize in specific areas (e.g., graphics, speech, writing, classroom)(e.g., graphics, speech, writing, classroom)

Other ProgramsOther Programs

WivikWivik Program designed for independent access without Program designed for independent access without

focus on speech outputfocus on speech output

EZ KeysEZ Keys Designed for users with communication impairment Designed for users with communication impairment

because of speech outputbecause of speech output

DiscoverDiscover Windows and Macintosh compatibleWindows and Macintosh compatible

Programs for the ClassroomPrograms for the Classroom

Advantages of Advantages of Programs designed Programs designed for classroom use for classroom use include:include: Low costLow cost Text and graphicsText and graphics Restrict access to Restrict access to

certain userscertain users Ready-made selection Ready-made selection

setssets

Programs for Programs for Classroom Use:Classroom Use: 1- Clicker1- Clicker

Inexpensive, compatible Inexpensive, compatible with all computer with all computer systems, designed for systems, designed for classroom useclassroom use

2- Windows Switch 2- Windows Switch and Pointand Point

Inexpensive, effective, Inexpensive, effective, flexibleflexible